Change the Automatically Generated Text

Most text in tables comes from value labels in the value sets for the variables that you drop onto the table. Some additional text, such as "Total", "Percent" and "by", is generated by the software. You can customize the text that the software will use for all of these terms.

This option is controlled through the Format (Application) dialog. Choose Format (Application) from the edit menu or right-click anywhere on the table and choose Format (Application).

Find a list of the words used in the generated text at the bottom of the menu. Select the "default text" which is to be replaced and enter the "alternate text" or replacement text.

Every occurrence of the default text will be replaced by the alternate text. In the example, every "total" text in every table will be replaced by "All persons".

If the text is not appropriate in certain places it can be replaced by "custom text ".

Note: Any text can always be replaced by custom text.

Changing the automatically generated text is particularly useful when generating tables in languages other than English. You can translate all of the automatically generated text into your language in the Format (Application) dialog and will be updated in all tables in your file.